Rack mountable beverage bottle

Abstract

This invention discloses a storage vessel, namely a wine bottle having a liquid volumetric capacity of from about 750 milliliters to about 1,500 milliliters and including an integral pedestal base configured to fit typical glassware fixtures employed in restaurants and taverns. The stem and base portions of the pedestal may be solid or hollow. A hollow pedestal may be advantageous to capture sediments settling out of the wine when the bottle is in an upright position. Pigments may be included in the glass construction to minimize photochemical reactions with the wine contained within the bottle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a divisional patent application of and claims the benefit of priority of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/238,382, filed on Sep. 9, 2002 which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/322,269 filed on Sep. 10, 2001, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. All related patent applications are to the same inventors of record.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a rack mountable storage vessel namely a wine bottle with an integral pedestal base that allows a bottle to be slidably rack-mounted.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The prior art related to wine bottles is extensive and dates back in antiquity to amphora type containers, clay pitchers, goatskins, etc. all having as primary functionalities storing and transporting of the beverage. Modernly, wine bottles serve additional functions by adding aesthetics and ambience to a commercial establishment such as a restaurant or bar. For example, it is known in the art that Italian restaurants frequently use empty Chianti wine bottles as candlestick holders, which are placed on customer tables. The Chianti bottles add a romantic and cultural ambience to the restaurant thus improving the dining experience of their customers. In another example, Japanese cuisine, in particular sushi has become popular developing a demand for authentically styled sushi bars complete with bottles of rice wine known as sake. The sake bottles are generally placed in the field of view of patrons seated at a sushi bar and feature Japanese labels, which generally include artistic Chinese characters associated with Asian cultures.

From the restaurateur's perspective, wine sales are high profit margin items, thus the strategic placement of attractive wine bottles plays a significant factor in the overall profitability of his or her establishment. By placing the wine bottles in view of the customers, demand for these products is significantly increased. However, in many situations, space is limited for exhibiting the beverages particularly bar and grill type establishments which limit demand to those items that are easily viewed by the establishment's patrons.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This invention provides a solution to the limited storage and display space for wines in a retail establishment by integrating a pedestal base into the design of a wine bottle. The pedestal base is configured such that the wine bottles may be placed in overhead racks normally used for supporting glassware. In a bar type setting, the wine bottles are visible to patrons sitting in and around the bar area thus generating demand for the beverage contained therein.

A first embodiment of the invention comprises a method for maintaining and displaying at least one rack mountable beverage bottle by orienting a pedestal base member associated with a rack mountable beverage bottle such that at least a portion of the pedestal base member may be slidably received by a rack; and slidably disposing said pedestal base member on to said rack, such that said rack mountable beverage bottle is supported by said rack.

In a related embodiment of the invention, the orienting comprises rotating the rack mountable beverage bottle to a generally inverted position, such that the majority of the rack mountable beverage bottle is below the pedestal base member.

In another related embodiment of the invention the orienting comprises rotating the rack mountable beverage bottle to a generally upright position, such that the majority of the rack mountable beverage bottle is above the pedestal base member.

In yet another related embodiment of the invention, the orienting comprises rotating the rack mountable beverage bottle to a generally horizontal position, such that the majority of the rack mountable beverage bottle is generally in parallel to the pedestal base member.

In one embodiment of the invention, the rack mountable beverage bottle comprises a wine bottle.

In another embodiment of the invention, the rack comprises a glassware fixture.

In a second embodiment of the invention a method for maintaining and displaying at least one rack mountable beverage bottle comprises orienting a pedestal base member associated with a rack mountable beverage bottle such that at least a portion of the pedestal base member may be slidably received by a rack; and slidably disposing the pedestal base member on the rack, such that the rack mountable beverage bottle is supported by the rack in either a generally inverted or upright position.

In a third embodiment of the invention, a method for maintaining and displaying a plurality of rack mountable beverage bottles comprises orienting a first pedestal base member associated with a first rack mountable beverage bottle such that at least a portion of the pedestal base member may be slidably received by a rack, slidably disposing rearward the first pedestal base member on the rack, such that the first rack mountable beverage bottle is supported by the rack while leaving sufficient space on the rack for receiving additional rack mountable beverage bottles; and repeating the process until a desired number of rack mountable beverage bottles are supported by the rack.

In a related embodiment of the invention, the orienting is in either a generally inverted or upright position.

In another related embodiment of the invention, the rack supporting the plurality of rack mountable beverage bottles is disposed in a location within a commercial establishment generally visible to one or more patrons of the establishment.

In another related embodiment of the invention, the location is chosen to provide one of aesthetics and ambience to the commercial establishment.

It is envisioned that other support structures may allow wine bottles incorporating the invention to articulate from a substantially horizontal position through a fully inverted position. It is further envisioned that the bottles may contain beverages other than wine. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the wine bottles are constructed of glass and are sized to contain liquid volumes ranging from about three quarters of a liter to about one and one half liters.

Other volumes are also envisioned for magnum, champagne and limited edition sized bottles. Tinting of the glass in various shades to protect the contents of the bottles from photochemical reactions is also envisioned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1—This drawing depicts a frontal view of the invention including a pedestal base member and a stem.

FIG. 2—This drawing depicts a prospective view of the invention where a plurality of wine bottles may be slidably stored in an inverted position on a fixture.

FIG. 3—This drawing depicts a side view of the invention where a plurality of wine bottles may be slidably stored in an inverted position on a fixture.

FIG. 4—This drawing depicts a top view of the invention where a plurality of wine bottles may be stored in an inverted position on a fixture.

FIG. 5—This drawing depicts a front view of the invention where a wine bottle may be stored in an inverted position on a rack.

FIG. 6—This drawing depicts a rear view of the invention where a wine bottle may be stored in an inverted position on a fixture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The preferred embodiment of this invention is a standard sized wine bottle having a liquid volumetric capacity of about 750 milliliters and including an integral pedestal base configured to fit typical glassware fixtures employed in restaurants and taverns. The stem and base portions of the pedestal may be solid or hollow. A hollow pedestal may be advantageous to capture sediments settling out of the wine when the bottle is in an upright position.

Pigments may be included in the glass construction to minimize photochemical reactions with the wine contained within the bottle.

Referring to FIG. 1, the invention is shown in a frontal view. The bottle 10 comprises a disjunct pedestal base member 30 and stem member 40 which are integral in construction with the bottle 10. The base member 30 is shown as a flat disk configuration having a substantially circular appearance. Other embodiments including a tapered or concave surface are also envisioned. The diameter of the base member approximates the diameter of the bottle. The stem portion of the pedestal should be sized to ensure structural integrity. In the preferred embodiment, the diameter of the stem member 40 is about 30 to 70 percent of the diameter of the bottle and is substantially cylindrical in configuration. The length of the stem member 40 forming the gap between the bottom of the bottle 10 and the top of the base member 30 is sized to provide a loose fit in both the horizontal and vertical planes when slidably installed on a supporting structure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the invention is shown in a perspective view where pluralities of wine bottles are supported by a typical glassware structure. The bottles 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D incorporating this invention are slidably installed and supported by the fixture 20 and associated side support rails 20A, 20B. The underside of the base of the pedestals 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D supports the weight of the bottle 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D and rests on top of the fixture side support rails 20A, 20B. The gap between the bottle 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D and the pedestal includes a stem 40, which provides continuity between the bottle 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D and the base of the pedestal 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D.

Referring to FIG. 3, the invention is shown in a side view where a plurality of wine bottles 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D are slidably stored in an inverted position on a fixture 20. The bases 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D of the pedestals support the bottles 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D that rests on the fixture support rails 20B. The stem portions of the pedestals 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D provides continuity between the actual bottles 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D and the bases of the pedestals 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D.

Referring to FIG. 4, the invention is shown in a top view where a plurality of wine bottles 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D are stored in an inverted position on the fixture 20. The bases of the pedestals 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D are shown supported by the fixture's side support rails 20A, 20B.

Referring to FIG. 5, the invention is shown in a frontal view where the wine bottle 10A is stored in an inverted position on the fixture 20. The base 30A of the pedestal is supported longitudinally on two sides by the fixture support rails 20A, 20B. The stem 40A of the pedestal is substantially centered between the fixture support rails 20A, 20B.

Referring to FIG. 6, the invention is shown in a rear view of the invention where a wine bottle 10A is stored in an inverted position on the fixture 20. As previously described above, the base 30A of the pedestal is supported longitudinally on two sides by the fixture support rails 20A, 20B.

The stem 40A of the pedestal is substantially centered between the fixture support rails 20A, 20B. The bottle 10A is prevented from sliding of the end of the fixture 20 by the stops incorporated into the fixture support rails 20A, 20B.

The foregoing described embodiments of the invention are provided as illustrations and descriptions. They are not intended to limit the invention to precise form described. In particular, it is contemplated that functional implementation of the invention described herein may be implemented equivalently in glass or plastic having varying pigmentation for tinting and manufactured in various sizes. Other variations and embodiments are possible in light of above teachings, and it is not intended that this Detailed Description limit the scope of invention.

Claims

1. A method for maintaining and displaying at least one rack mountable beverage bottle comprising:

a. orienting a pedestal base member associated with a rack mountable beverage bottle such that at least a portion of said pedestal base member may be slidably received by a rack; and,

b. slidably disposing said pedestal base member on to said rack, such that said rack mountable beverage bottle is supported by said rack.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said orienting comprises rotating said rack mountable beverage bottle to a generally inverted position, such that the majority of the rack mountable beverage bottle is below said pedestal base member.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said orienting comprises rotating said rack mountable beverage bottle to a generally upright position, such that the majority of the rack mountable beverage bottle is above said pedestal base member.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said orienting comprises rotating said rack mountable beverage bottle to a generally horizontal position, such that the majority of the rack mountable beverage bottle is generally in parallel to said pedestal base member.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said rack mountable beverage bottle comprises a wine bottle.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein said rack comprises a glassware fixture.

7. A method for maintaining and displaying at least one rack mountable beverage bottle comprising:

a. orienting a pedestal base member associated with a rack mountable beverage bottle such that at least a portion of said pedestal base member may be slidably received by a rack; and,

b. slidably disposing said pedestal base member on said rack, such that said rack mountable beverage bottle is supported by said rack in either a generally inverted or upright position.

8. A method for maintaining and displaying a plurality of rack mountable beverage bottles comprising:

a. orienting a first pedestal base member associated with a first rack mountable beverage bottle such that at least a portion of said pedestal base member may be slidably received by a rack;

b. slidably disposing rearward said first pedestal base member on said rack, such that said first rack mountable beverage bottle is supported by said rack while leaving sufficient space on said rack for receiving additional rack mountable beverage bottles; and,

c. repeating claim elements 8a and 8b until a desired number of rack mountable beverage bottles are supported by said rack.

9. The method of claim 8 herein said orienting is in either a generally inverted or upright position.

10. The method according to claim 8 wherein said rack supporting said plurality of rack mountable beverage bottles is disposed in a location within a commercial establishment generally visible to one or more patrons of said establishment.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein said location is chosen based in part on one of aesthetics and ambience.